Media Contact:
Dr. Sarah Cherry Rice
[email protected]
7062962843
For Immediate Release
BOSTON, MA (July 26, 2023) – Digital Ready, Boston Public Health Commission, and Children’s Services of
Roxbury are pleased to announce the inaugural cohort of recipients of the Generational Health Scholarship.
These scholarship recipients hail from over 18 different Boston public high schools from across the city and will be entering into four-year universities this Fall as college students. The Generational Health Scholarship Program, funded through the City’s Declaration of Racism as a Public Health Crisis, aims to buffer financial and related barriers that impact Black, Latine, and Native American students’ ability to enter, matriculate, and graduate from a four-year degree program. This inaugural award will give students dedicated support as they pursue careers connected to health sciences, behavioral health, public health, medicine, engineering, computer science, AI, and more.
“More than 80% of STEM jobs in Boston require a bachelor’s degree to compete in Boston’s innovation
economy. This scholarship represents a significant investment by the Boston Public Health Commission in the city’s future Black, Latinx, and Native American innovators that historically have not had as much access to high-wage STEM jobs in this city. Collaborative partnerships, like this one, are the key to ensuring we are building a city that is rooted in equity and empowerment. These innovators will be leading our city in just a few years, ” says Dr. Sarah Cherry Rice, the Executive Director of Digital Ready.
The goal of the scholarship program is to support the cohort across four years, beginning the summer before their first year of college and continuing through graduation into their first year of post graduate employment. During the first year of college, the cohort will receive academic coaching, access to world-class tutors, peer mentors, mental health and financial support to ensure students reach their full potential.
“Access to educational opportunities improves health and well-being not only for individuals, but also for
communities. This scholarship program was established to help address inequity in higher education attainment and to increase diversity among public health and health care professionals in Boston,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “I am immensely proud of our first cohort of scholarship recipients, and we look forward to supporting their educational journey.”
“I am immensely proud to witness the launch of the Generational Health Scholarship program and congratulate the inaugural cohort of scholarship recipients,” said Boston Public Schools Superintendent Mary Skipper. “This initiative marks a significant step toward creating a more equitable and inclusive Boston, where students of color are provided with the support and resources needed to excel in their pursuit of careers in STEM, Health Sciences, Public Health, and Behavioral Health. By investing in our incredibly talented students of color, we are nurturing the future leaders who will drive innovation, address health disparities, and positively impact our city and beyond.”
“We are thrilled to announce the selection of our esteemed scholarship recipients,” says Sandra McCroom,
President & CEO of Children’s Services of Roxbury. “Through this partnership, we are committed to advancing the next generation of leaders from underrepresented backgrounds. These exceptional individuals possess immense potential, and we are honored to support this cohort in their educational journey. By investing in their talents and providing access to opportunities, we are fostering a more inclusive and more diverse future in career fields with local and global influence. Congratulations to such deserving students – we look forward to witnessing their incredible achievements!”
“Congratulations to the accepted cohort of students! Many young people in Boston forgo higher education due to the rising cost of college tuition. BPHC is happy to provide financial assistance and partner with those able to offer academic and wraparound support so students can thrive during their collegiate careers,” says Triniese Polk, Director of the Boston Public Health Commission’s Office of Racial Equity and Community Engagement. “We are honored to have this opportunity to support these students in their educational endeavors as they will become our future leaders in the STEM, Health Sciences, Public Health and Behavioral Health fields.”
Names and high schools for each scholarship recipient are noted below:
- Nana Nyarko Academy of the Pacific Rim Charter Public School
- Jayden Williams, Arlington High School
- Miyaris Hunt, Boston Community Leadership Academy
- Adelsa Brandao, Boston International Newcomers Academy
- Janice Jonah, Boston Latin Academy
- Miashley Luc, Boston Latin Academy
- Robbs Germain, Boston Latin Academy
- Diego Aldebaran Jimenez-Leal, Brighton High School
- Kalysha Melendez Hernandez, Brighton High School
- Destinee La Paz, Brooke High School
- Jailynn Medina, Brookfield High School
- Elvin Hernandez, Charlestown High School
- Ismael Mendez Troncoso, Charlestown High School
- Kira Taforo, Charlestown High School
- Alyasia Bigby, Codman Academy Charter School
- Winston Bullock, Norman Community Academy of Science & Health
- Darren Simmons, Concord Carlisle High School
- William Nosike, Dearborn STEM Academy
- Dylan Soto, English High School
- Daniel Posada Alvarez, Fenway High School
- Tayana Antoine, Fenway High School
- Peter Kamaru, Henderson Inclusion School Upper Campus
- Cheisiree Carmona, Jeramiah E. Burke High School
- Simara Cardoso, Jeramiah E. Burke High School
- Willians Varela, Jeramiah E. Burke High School
- Oluwademilade Osinowo, John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science
- Ryan Muscadin, John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science
- Samantha Serna Pemberthy, John D. O’Bryant School of Mathematics and Science
- Wendy Silva Kennedy, Edward M. Academy for Health Careers
- Glerianys Ruiz, Madison Park Technical Vocational High School
- Alondra Batista, Segura Margarita Muniz Academy
- Nael Louis Jr. Louis, Newton North High School
- Bradley Chery, TechBoston Academy
- Gaelle Laviolette, TechBoston Academy
- Jacqueline Nee, TechBoston Academy
- Kenji Altenor, TechBoston Academy
- Kenyon Colbert, TechBoston Academy
- Madelande Etienne, TechBoston Academy
- Neydjie Mathias, TechBoston Academy
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About Digital Ready
Digital Ready is a Boston-based organization with a mission to activate the creative potential of high school
students, especially underrepresented young people—students from low-income backgrounds and students of color—with the agency, social capital, and skills to build their own pathways to economic mobility and success in Boston’s innovation economy. For more information, visit www.digitalready.org or follow @digitalreadyboston on Instagram.
About Children’s Services of Roxbury
Now in its 50th year of service, Children’s Services of Roxbury (CSR) brings peace of mind to children and
families across the Commonwealth through housing for homeless families, culturally attuned behavioral/mental health services, foster care for abused and neglected children, family support services, affordable childcare for low-wage families, and youth resiliency and development programs. CSR is one of Massachusetts’ largest Black-run non-profit, whose Board and leadership are 75%+ people of color. CSR employs 400 community residents, 90%+ people of color. Located in Roxbury MA, with additional offices in Northampton, Tewksbury, and Worcester, CSR serves Black and Brown communities throughout the state, reaching 6,000 children and families annually. Learn more about CSR: csrox.org or follow @CSRoxbury on social media.
About the Boston Public Health Commission
The Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC) serves as Boston’s local health department, providing a wide range of health services and programs to protect, preserve, and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The BPHC envisions a thriving Boston where all residents live healthy, fulfilling lives free of racism, poverty, violence, and other systems of oppression. Learn more about the BPHC here.